23-ed

Dedicating this post to the people who made my 23rd Birthday special.

Well I never think that friendship is only real when that person celebrates your birthday, but if they do, you do know that these people do care about you :)

To be plain honest, after four years, you kind of know who stays and who don't. I know it very well that I'm not a very nice person to deal with haha, so wasn't expecting much. On the other hand, I dread birthdays coz my parents will be asking me if there's anyone to celebrate with me and I always had a set of lies in my head to tell them or else it kills me when they start the "it's okay, you still have us" kind of talk. Grateful that I don't have to lie to them coz there's still people who do wanna make my day special woohoo. And many thanks to people who wished me even though I did not put my birth date on FB.

Living on earth for 23 years, not sure if there's any meaning to celebrate but it's a time where I really feel I've grown up. Not sure by how much, but I feel like I can finally accept the fact that I'm an independent adult. Last 2 years, I'm still like a whiney little kid, enjoying college life, outing till late night, join this join that, trying to live a happening and fulfilling life but beneath those was a fear of growing up, fear of the realistic world, fear of a life with uncertainties and the fact that I am going to be alone to face all these. But in the past year, I'm grateful that God has given me so much strength, showed me to awesome people, giving me great experiences. Of course it wasn't all smooth sailing, I've cried a few times, but the falls really do make me stronger and ultimately reminds you that nothing is too bad that you can't live with it. And to add on, I have a loving family who supports me, friends who sends their kind words and give you help when you need it. It's the last birthday in Uni, and graduation is coming soon, if there's any reason to be sad, I guess it will be saying goodbye to this bunch of friends T T Not sure if we're still gonna be as close as we are now, but I'll always treasure the memories we had, every joy you guys gave to me hehe... Thanks people!!

Early Birthday Dinner with the Wonder Girls @The East Bureau, will be doing a review with more photos soon. Great night out with the girls with Real Talk haha. 

It was a joint celebration with our prettiest mummy, who we both have the same birth month. Had a delicious Matcha Tiramisu Cake by Ma Mere Boulangarie@Marina Square. (Can't help but to notice I'm so bald)

In case you didn't notice, it's Off Shoulder kinda day. 

Few days later, this bunch surprised me again on my birthday. Thanks for spending the time to treat me coffee and cakes! Simple things to make me happy. This bunch has been with me for every birthday I had in NTU, feeling grateful to spend the last one with them too. Love you all long time. 

Followed by surprise visit from The Brow, I swear I really didn't expect you all to come (and hence the cui face). You guys must be so busy at this period. and they brought gift summore omgggg...Really appreciate it :) Great doing a short catch up with the bunch. Finals and Job Hunt jiayou arrr!!!!

The must-do, but we're missing Yeucian here :(

Also, special thanks to ShiYien and Kahhoe for the early surprise! Really got heart ler, thanks for taking the time :) Btw it's a MoonBall this year, a continuation from last two year's Pokedex Birthday Card haha. Moon Ball is for Jigglypuff LOL Kinda suit me don't you think, round and loves to sing :) 

Once again, thanks to the bunch and also people who wished me. Not sure what I can do for you guys, but I'm always hoping the best for you all. To my Uni friends especially, hope everyone prepare well for Finals and for the ones on job hunt, I really pray that everyone finds the perfect door to the future! To my granma, uncle, aunties and cousins in JB! Didn't forget you all lar, thanks for providing me a second home whenever I wanna escape Pulau NTU. Thanks for letting me Eat, Play, Sleep so well at your place haha. Really means a lot to a person who can't go home often :( 

And to my mom, it's your 受难日, thanks for tolerating this evil kid who always make you cry for 23 years. My dad, I know you don't say it, but thanks for pouring so much love and treating me like a princess through your actions. My brother, thanks for taking care of dad and mum while I'm away from home, and being the silently supportive figure on many little things, hope you realize your dreams soon! Just hope you three continue to stay healthy and be happy! 

Haizzz now wan see 背影 oso difficult...

Oh yeah, my way of celebrating 23rd hehe, uploaded a cover video for the first time! Can't say it's really a cover though, coz it's not a song that I can sing well haha, but more like just to use this song to share some motivational message to people around me. It's a song by Soda Green 苏打绿 named 你在烦恼什么 What's Trobuling You? Every line of the lyrics gave me so much motivation. I guess at 23, we are all entering a phase with lots of frustrations and challenges in life, just hope my friends can stay positive and live life with joy! 

From the song: 时间从来不回答，生命从来不喧哗, 就算只有片刻我也不害怕。

(Time passes without turning back, Life goes by without a sound. So do not fear if there's only one moment left.)

ToAnyone

Ohmy....less than one week to the end of 2014. 

Can no longer call myself 21 :(
sad coz *highpitch* my birthday was just 2 months ago TT.TT
okay enough with the whining, time to grow up!

Just wanna dedicate this post to all the people who made my 21st Birthday a memorable one.
Despite being away from home, I felt so much love. Thanks a lot. 

Never really given much thought about being 21 until I see people throwing parties to celebrate their 21st. My facebook newsfeed has this constant flow of Birthday party photos since the beginning of this year. All sorts of themes they had, Elegant, Princess, JamesBond, PJs...etc etc

I even received invitations from secondary school friends who I'd lost contact with...so you can imagine, the guest list must be long haha...Haizzz wanted to attend their parties since it would be great to catch up, but too bad I was already in Singapore. 

Anyways yea, all those party can't help to make me wonder what a great deal a 21st birthday is, even my brother threw a party back then I remember coz all his friends thought I'm his elder sister when I was only 17. Yes I do felt kinda envy to those who threw glamorous parties, with beautiful cakes, fancy balloons and decorations, guests in pretty outfits...telling the whole world that they're a grown up now. But well, I realize I'm more like those people who can be happy for a long time just because their family and friends sent them a birthday wish. Yes, to me, it's the thought that counts! Even more so ever since I studied in Singapore. 

Anyhow, despite being away from home, I still had an awesome time!! Really wanna say million thanks to all these people for putting in effort to celebrate my 21st! Why? coz I did not send any invitation, I didn't prepare any fancy cakes, I didn't decorate my room...they all did it for me! TT.TT seriously never expected to get this much love. Thanks a lot peeps!

So, the first surprise came exactly on the first hour of my birthday hehe...
Was out with the MSA excos for an event at Haji Lane. 

Didn't expect anything until two of them kept asking to go to my hall's washroom. haha...
Sorry for my attempt to ruin the plan by taking them to another washroom away from my block haha...

yeap my subconscious expected it, but my usual pessimist me told me to not expect so much. Opened the door only to find my room in darkness, and the next second they started singing the birthday song haha... "I knew it!" I thought, and the next second, joy was filling up inside me, and my cheeks were gonna burst haha. My desert gang, econs gang and msa excos..well pretty much the closest friends I have in NTU were there. 

Love all the photos that they put on (yes including my own selfie haha)

It's great that I can always have a look at these people before I go to bed every night haha...okay sounds creepy...

and thumbs up for the present, they know what to buy for a 21 girl. 

but I love the card more, it's a Pokemon themed message book

So cute.

They even brought red wine! oh ya, afterall they are all elder than me LOL
time to grow up and sip some alcohol
played the wolf-game till 3 in the morning (and one of them have quiz next morning)!
so much laughter! Really appreciate their effort TT.TT  

Had a great start of my birthday!

stayed in room for the whole day. Was suppose to go out with my dear 4-in-love, but exam was near and I had a meeting in the morning the next day, so it was called off. Had dinner with the roomie and bought a small cake for dessert, but since we had candles and lighter, why not blow another candle haha! Then I realize, none of my CP member wished me, not even my closest sister in CP. :( haha, but my worries gone away when I saw a spoiler message in our CP chat! Thanks to our noobkia VC who accidentally disclosed the surprise plan. Well I tried to act normal anyways heheh... 

with the roomie! Thanks for staying over the weekend instead of going home just to celebrate my birthday. 

Heard the doorknock, and ta-dah this bunch invaded my hall

yes invaded. coz after singing the birthday song, some started asking for wifi password, some started watching football, changed my desktop background, scribbled bday wishes on my notes, inspected my room summore, We ended up watching an episode of runningman, just to get some ideas for FOC (CP syndrome)

The present...

totally speechless haha

"Real friends care about your weight and buys you a weighing scale." -- Carmen

why not buy me a gym membership? haha just kidding :P

Next day, Earthlink's Monthly Meeting. If there was no meeting, I would have gone back home for the weekend. Haha maybe I should thank them or else I won't get to eat so many cakes haha...Anyways, just when I thought it would just be another LONG meeting which I yawned every 30 seconds, as usual, went dabao for lunch, came back, sat down. Then suddenly 2 of them stood in front of me, asking me this and that. The moment they walked away I saw a cake coming haha... Thumbs up for trying to distract me LOL 

Really didn't expect this, I'm glad that they actually remembered and slot this in the meeting.  

I bet everyone was busy, but still thanks, for spending a few minutes to sing me a song! Hope we'll have a great year ahead!

And yeap, a new week started. In fact, it's the start of the mugging month! Everyone would have entered into the Mugging Mode. But lucky enough, another 2 surprises were waiting for me. Yes I was really surprised coz I wasn't expecting people to still celebrate bday after so many days, plus it's mugging month! Celebrating birthday might be on the bottom of the to-do list. 

It was a Thursday. My usual routine would been having brunch, then go to lecture all the way till evening. But on that very day, I skipped all my lectures to get SU's goodie bag at noon, and supposedly have 5 hour breaks before my compulsory korean class. My usual self would have gone home, but then, a very fun game booth captured my attention and I stayed in uni until 3 something, while I should have gone back at around 1pm. Funny enough, my phone battery died and I was pretty much OFFLINE from everyone. What I didn't know was, all these were going to ruin a surprise waiting for me at my room LOL. 

I was so addicted to the game booth and didn't want to leave, but I guess thanks to the fact that my battery died, I had to go back to hall. Opened the door, and these people were waiting for me haha....Epic surprise! The first thing I asked was "You guys waited for so long?" 

Yes they waited and were struggling with the fact that they couldn't find me at all and not knowing what time I will be back. After calling many friends of mine, they managed to track down my location at the very last minute. I was already walking back to hall LOL. haha seriously didn't see that coming. 

Wanna say a big big thanks to these girls for insisting to celebrate my birthday despite it has passed. As i mentioned, we were suppose to have dinner but I changed the date coz I had meeting on the next day. And a bigger thanks to the cakes, gifts, food and also the super thoughtful card with many photos and sincere wishes  

Yeap, not just cake, but drinks and Chawanmushi as well.
They really are trying to throw a party. 

Sorry girls, If I had came back earlier, we could have more time to party!

The cake that looks fabulous!

Those who read my blog or knows me would definitely heard of this 3 girls. They are my closest friends in NTU, I like to consider them as family. Coz as much as I hate the things they do (okay there's nothing I really hate), I still love them heheh...They just bring so much joy to me, and are super kind people who always help me out. Can't imagine the next semester without them TT.TT

Oh there's one thing I hate, they need to stop saying they are bad luck for me. Seriously, how?
These girls just don't know how precious they are. 

真的从来没有遇见像你们酱好玩又真挚的朋友。

我们四个，各有各的缺点和让人受不了的地方。可是，很感恩我们已经是到那种可以理解和接受大家的缺点，和珍惜大家的优点的友情。喜欢可以在你们面前不爽就说出口。虽然将来可能会聚少离多，但是还是希望我们能成为大家的靠山。

To many years of sisterhood to come!

Love the handmade card!! They even made a section for my future boyfriend to fill in wtf lol

Killed the films with them hehe...

At the same night, had my last subcomm meeting for the semester. Was doing review and debrief. I did everything asap coz I know it's mugging month and I want to let them go home early. Some of them even had quiz on the next day! But what I didn't know was, they weren't gonna let the night end early LOL

My meetings always have sharing session. It was mugging period, so I thought there's no need for sharing session until Gary suddenly informed me that my subcomm have prepared one. 

Clueless, I wondered what the topic was about. Smelled something fishy when the topic was related to some picture-guessing, with clues like Car, Door, Happy...
and yea the final message was...Carmen Happy Birthday wtf!

Sounds like nonsense but it's a creative surprise! wished I know better words to describe it haha

Thanks a lot to them! For willing to sacrifice their mugging time to celebrate my birthday with me. Had snacks and drinks, and a small sharing session as well. Btw, they even brought their own containers to eat the cake (instead of using disposables)!! Yeap, my subcomms are awesome!!

Then one week later, 2 weeks before exam. Had dinner with my mother OG-mates! Just a small gathering, but I loved meetings with them, coz it will remind me all the goodtimes we had in FOC. As usual, our best but bullied GL yaoyao went out to buy dinner for us!! Gamdong die me! He had to carry so many things, but he's like stick thin :( 

anyways, had a nice dinner, chatting with the bunch. Then suddenly a cake came out and I thought it was for Joash whose birthday is coming haha

Really gamdong coz, the fact that they still bought a small cake, and still sang the bday song to me (eventhough it's already so long time ago) is already enough to make me feel so happy. 

We still shared the cake despite it's size! Mother OG love LOL

Throwback to the early celebration with the October babies of FOC Maincomm

we were all wearing blue shirts! what a coincidence haha

I'm not trying to show off here, but really just wanna remind myself, how lucky I am, to have people who care about you despite being away from home. I don't know if we'll still be as close as we are right now in 10 years time, but I know the memories you guys gave me will always be treasured for the rest of my life. I'm just grateful, for all the things that you guys did, no matter how small it is. Yes I'm also saying this to all the people who wished me, bought me presents, it's really the thought that counts. Thank you guys! 

Now I think I really should make a list of birthdays of my friends. I have bad memory, I hope they forgive me if i'd forgotten their bday. Will try my best to rmb hehe...

haha....one of the best parts...so many cakes!!

Presents from NTU family

owh yea...Young Hearts lol

The cute lil bear is from CM, haizzz really thank all of them for spending all the time and also money for my birthday. Really appreciate it. 

21 - ToAnyone
I'm a lucky girl.
And will do my best, to love life and be a nice person to others' life.

Birthdays....

A post dedicated to all the birthday girls haha....
That's just too many people's birthday in 2 months!!
and they are all turning 21 yo!
the Key Age to the Adult World

Econs Lenglui, ok i might not be in that category haha :D

First Up -- Wanqi
our big sister of econs gang!! in fact not just econs gang, she seems to be the big sister of the msa freshies, that explains how caring and helpful she is. Her birthday was during the sem break, so it's a post-birthday celebration....surprised her outside the lecture theater haha, and sing when everyone's around LOL
It's a simple one, but hope she likes it.

Second, our 4-In-Love 24 hours ON 7Eleven -- Huan Huan!

sad that we failed to surprise her TT.TT

even after we formed alliance with her bf, we still failed :(

It so happened that she just walked into us haha

Yeap, she just walked into us in the wide and big Orchard area...
What a fate haha...

anyways it was kinda fun, to travel to the beautiful and bustling Orchard area to surprise her.

Beautiful lights and lively atmosphere around :D

Had a small chit chat and game session with the girls at Oriole Cafe and Bar @ Somerset 313
beautiful cafe, situated outdoors, looks awesome at night...definitely a great place for a girls night out.
what we did? hmmm updating each other about CNY, discussing how our surprise plan failed, laughing with no reason, more laughters, ....and finally, some caffeine and alcohol, perfect for a 21st bday isn't it? LOL

Short Review on the drinks we had at Oriole Cafe and Bar:

Sex on the Beach -- SGD 12

sweet and tangy

Bloody Mary -- SGD12

lol i didn't know this was suppose to taste like veggie juice haha...

i like tomatoes but just find it very strange without the texture of squashed tomato haha

Here comes the caffeine part, check out the beautiful latte art

Left : Cafe Latte -- SGD 5.50

Center: Mocha -- SGD 6.00

Right: Mint Mocha -- SGD 6.00

Small cup on top: Espresso -- SGD 4.00

I had the mocha, which I think taste really good, strong cocoa flavor with smooth texture. The mint mocha taste similar, can't taste much of mint. Espresso was nice, but my girls don't seem to enjoy it haha...

the cafe was really a cosy and beautiful place to hang out with friends on a busy friday night. 

Photo source: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4520641651_8b38b85d8c.jpg

Photo Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpOTXGV1QXIv2tRHgOy3VSv7LdEX7zV0CR5vLt15dNLzpfcdkLFnmSCYPVXSPyqD9bO8vVVfOBTxk3twzYJ__5EhCUG5to5q_9l4XrWSIzXRizHVl5w1LQpBUEVefEMpTioKbJQ/s1600/IMAG49901.jpg

Oriole Cafe + Bar

96 Somerset Road
#01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites

Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs (11am - 11pm)
Fri - Sat (11am - 12am)
Sun (10:30am - 11pm)

Oriole Cafe is known for its coffee and has other branches as well, go to their website to find out more:

http://oriolecoffee.businesscatalyst.com/locations.htm

Happy celebration for my dearest Huan Huan, and also sort of like a farewell outing for CC well...

From Left2: CC, HuanHuan, ShiYien, JingYi & Limin

OMG what the fish am I doing haha...

just find this photo funny...

Next, our Toddler of 4inLove -- AhBian Limin :D

notice I used toddler, not baby haha...coz toddler are much more childish and annoying ahhahahaha
no worries dear, we enjoy ur childish acts.

so for her birthday, it was a 2 part plan

first, to act like we simply celebrated her birthday 

coz this girl has been reminding us to celebrate her bday since the beginning of sem 1!! 怕死我们不会庆祝酱LOL

so yea we tried to make everything look like as if we're trying to ignore her bday (but not overdoing it)

just sing her a song outside LT, and take photos...no presents, no cards, NOTHING ELSE. 

and when she goes out in the evening...the second part comes :D

Ta-dah....we secretly pasted our wishes on her door when she went out

yes 就是要让整个Block13都懂是他的生日！

and hope she gets surprised when she comes back.

after the surprise, here comes our part 3 haha....

Watched Conjuring in my super-dim-and-lifeless room
while sipping beer!! Yeap 21st is all about alcohol for us hahahaha....

Conjuring was good, like really!!

coming up, ShiYien our sweet and caring lady...

well due to our super busy days, we decided to celebrate her bday early, ON V-Day!

and it's like a collab haha

we econs coursemates were in charge of decorating her room, while her boss OG brings in the cake.

bought balloons, blew them, draw on them....write on them...and pasted lots of post-it notes on her wall...

wishes and nonsense altogether hahahahah....

Balloon of Econs gang, drawn by ME! haha it's an achievement coz I suck in drawing most of the time. 

Happy with our masterpiece haha

Finally, the last Feb Baby

Our Angrybird Princess JingYi!!

her birthday turned out to be the toughest to plan, coz we pretty much ran out of ideas...

so what u gonna see, is a combination of all the ideas above LOL

 ta-dah, surprise when she opens the door in the morning!!

Me and Limin went to her room in the middle of the night to paste the notes
Effin scared that she'll suddenly open the door and see us..

Btw, my second Balloon Drawing heheheheh....

Part 2, Angry Bird themed celebration at Uni

hehe 2nd surprise, we pretty much showered her with angry bird haha...

this time, we have almost the whole econs family to sing her bday song and write her bday messages.

Angry Bird mini cakes from Polar (Jurong Point)

Econs Family...

4InLove!!

Photoshooting at Nanyang Lake LOL

paiseh this photo belongs to LiMin

Extra post here haha

4 In Love impromptu Birthday and Steamboat Movie Night. 

somehow JingYi just bought a cake with candles LOL

and there we have, the 3 Feb babies celebrating their bday twice...

awesome TomYam steamboat....using my ricecooker hehe...

Conjuring again, shouted together haha

Happy night, with best friends, awesome food, laughter and joy.

bet the residents hate us LOL

Shout out to all the birthday girls

hmmm hope you guys had fun on your 21st!!

and hope it's a memorable one.

Just wanna thank you guys, for whatever help and effort you guys given for our friendship. I truly treasure you all, hope we'll continue to encourage each other and support each other. 

All the best in everything!!

and special shoutout to my 4-inLove girls hehe...who turns out to be all feb babies..

Love you all so much!! tho planning for 3 bdays in a row is kinda tiring, but I really enjoyed, hope u guys did too!! :D